Abso-fucking-lutely loved Asuncion. Yep, it was racist. It was very racist. Cambodia as part of the Philippines? And Asuncion being suspected by Jesse Eisenberg’s character to be a prostitute or sex slave because she is from the Philippines, and that she probably needs the money? After all, why else would she move to America? Yep, it doesn’t get anymore racist than that. But the show connected with me overall as a well-written, well-paced exposition of the racism that holds true and prevalent in some parts of America today. In Oliver Oliveros’ words, racism has become somewhat of a disease. He’s right, especially since America now is so diverse, being the melting pot that it has become, even to the extent of electing an African American president in Obama. To have white supremacists still ghetto and ostracize minorities on false theory is, in fact, a disease in modern-day civilization.

As for the talent, the show is replete with it. Justin Bartha had a cool, frivolous, guru-esque portrayal of his character. Very Ryan Gosling, a guy’s guy - the kind of guy you wanna be, or the kind of guy you wish you had. Camille Mana manifested a charm and sincerity that sat well with the eccentricities of her Filipina heritage. Her accent was nuanced which is difficult for a Fil-Am actress who grew up with a probable American accent, yet she pulled it off with panache. The two were the perfect tandem that kept protagonist-antagonist’s neurosis at bay. How Eisenberg keeps at it for the entirety of the show is proof of his incredible talent which once earned him raves all over in The Social Network. Remy Auberjonois, the fourth in this quadrumvirate, had a few scenes only but was effective, especially in his scathing confrontation with Eisenberg’s character towards the end.

There are just slight kinks in the material that have to be ironed out, being that it’s a show on its Off-Broadway run. But overall, the piece and Jesse Eisenberg himself who is playwright and actor for Asuncion is incredible. The guy is truly an emerging talent of his time and it excites me as to where he’ll be taking his career next.

Congrats to the cast and crew! 

PHOTO CREDIT: BROADWAY.COM

That’s me up there with Justin Bartha! P.S. Heard from Oliver, and from Camille Mana after show, that Asuncion might be coming to Manila in 2013 for a limited six-show run. Stay tuned for the confirmation in Broadway World. Yes, as in Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha and the gang will be coming to Manila. Mana dropped hints of the show being in a 450 seater so quite obviously it might be staged at the RCBC Theater. We’ll just have to wait and see.

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